ArtsEkta is proud to announce that it has been awarded funding from The National Lottery Community Fund to launch Together We Thrive – a bold, future-facing initiative designed to reshape community life across Northern Ireland. Thanks to National Lottery players, this transformative five-year programme will bring people from all cultures, backgrounds, and generations together to build a more connected, compassionate, and inclusive society.

At a time when Northern Ireland is experiencing rapid demographic change, Together We Thrive represents a powerful step forward in building communities where everyone feels valued, seen, and at home. The £311,721 investment will enable ArtsEkta to support asylum seekers, refugees, new migrants, and residents of disadvantaged and rural areas—people whose voices often go unheard—to create new possibilities for belonging, wellbeing, and shared futures. The programme will directly contribute to improving wellbeing, reducing loneliness, and addressing poverty and discrimination—key priorities of The National Lottery Community Fund’s Strengthening Communities programme

Over five years, the programme will engage more than 1,000 direct participants and reach up to 7,500 wider beneficiaries across Belfast, Mid & East Antrim, Fermanagh & Omagh, and Derry/Londonderry—sparking new relationships, nurturing creativity, and unlocking potential across Northern Ireland’s growing cultural landscape.

Together We Thrive is built on a simple belief: communities thrive when people thrive. The programme aims to inspire hope, strengthen resilience, and create the conditions where individuals and communities can flourish—regardless of background or circumstance.

With a blend of creativity, cultural exchange, leadership development, and economic empowerment, Together We Thrive offers a model of integration rooted not in assimilation, but in shared humanity and mutual respect.

The programme will pioneer four interconnected strands to shape a more inclusive future include:

• A new civic space for connection and belonging
  At the heart of the programme is Olive Tree House—Belfast’s first city-centre multicultural hub and a beacon for intercultural connection. This 40,000 sq ft space will become a living laboratory for creativity, innovation, and community-building, where people can find safety, solidarity, and opportunities to grow together.
• Creative Residencies Programme
  By bringing long-term cultural projects to rural and underserved areas, the residencies will spark creativity, amplify unheard stories, and empower communities to celebrate their heritage while building new shared identities. Public showcases, including at the renowned Belfast Mela festival, will shine a light on the vibrancy of Northern Ireland’s cultural diversity.
• Catering Academy Employability Programme
  An empowering pathway for migrant and refugee women, offering accredited training, confidence building, and access to economic opportunity. The academy transforms culinary traditions into tools for independence, leadership, and financial resilience.
• Volunteer & Community Leadership Programme
  Supporting emerging leaders from culturally diverse backgrounds with the skills, mentoring, and structures needed to drive meaningful change within their communities. This strand ensures that intercultural work is not only delivered for communities but increasingly led by them.

Dr Nisha Tandon OBE, Founder and CEO of ArtsEkta, said:

“Together We Thrive is more than a project—it is a movement of people coming together to imagine a brighter, more compassionate Northern Ireland. This funding represents a milestone moment for the communities we serve, many of whom have endured trauma, displacement, loneliness, or exclusion. Through creativity, shared experience, and the power of human connection, we will build spaces where hope is restored, identities are celebrated, and new futures are possible. We are deeply grateful to The National Lottery Community Fund, for believing in this vision and enabling us to continue our work of bringing communities together in unity and understanding.”.

With nearly two decades of leadership in intercultural engagement, a trusted network of community partners, and a proven track record of delivering meaningful impact, ArtsEkta is uniquely positioned to deliver this ambitious, forward-looking initiative.

Alison Fraser, Senior Head of Funding at The National Lottery Community Fund in Northern Ireland, said:

“We believe communities are stronger when everyone, no matter their starting point, has the power to shape the changes that make their lives better. Our Strengthening Communities programme is focused on helping communities across Northern Ireland become stronger, healthier and more inclusive. Guided by our strategy, It starts with community, we invest most where the need is greatest, and Together We Thrive is a powerful example of early-intervention, community-led work that helps people build the skills, confidence and connections they need to thrive. Our team has been proud to support this project from the outset, and we encourage other groups with ideas for strengthening their communities to get in touch with us for a conversation.”